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Kyrgyz version
Russian version



photo by Carl Whetham with Umarbek Kadyrov
as Toshtuk and Ainura Kachkynbek kyzy as Bektoro


ER TOSHTUK


a magical, but humorous theatre piece about a
a journey into the underworld and out into the cosmos
based on a Kyrgyz epic

created by Virlana Tkacz, Kenzhegul Satybaldieva
and the students of the Theatre Institute
of the Kyrgyz National Academic Dramatic Theatre


May 23-26, & June 7-8, 2008
PLUS SHOW ADDED Sunday July 13,2008 at 19:00
B'Art Center -- 1 Karasayeva (Druzhba) Street in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
FREE- seating limited - for reservations call (312) 53-17-85 or (555) 40-89-40
and TOUR
July 16-18, 2008 at 20:00
Village Cultural Center, Kara Suu, At-Bashy Region, Naryn Oblast


Er Toshtuk is an experimental theatre piece based on the Kyrgyz epic, featuring traditional music, as well as modern design and movement. The original theatre piece has been created in rehearsals by director Virlana Tkacz, Kenzhegul Satybaldieva and the students of the Theatre Institute at the Kyrgyz National Academic Dramatic Theatre. The theatre piece uses the oldest known version of the text and is performed in Kyrgyz, but is very visual and can easily be followed by everyone. Nurbek Serkebaev, will perform live the score he created for the show on traditional Kyrgyz instruments. Reviewer for stan.tv noted: "The director, together with the actors and designers, has created a lucid vision of the ancient times. Thanks to masterful performances both myth and reality are woven into a fine stage production."

Er Toshtuk tells the story of a warrior named Toshtuk who falls into the Underworld, where with the help of some very unusual friends, he battles giants, monsters and killer kettle to find his soul. Eventually, Toshtuk saves the chicks in a nest on the Tree of Life and is flown to earth by their giant Mother Bird. Visually, the production combines traditional and contemporary elements. Some monsters are created by Javanese shadow puppets. Shaarbek Amankul created projections that form an organic part of the set built by Damir Nasybullin. Begaim Turumbekova is in charge of the lights, while the costumes are by Aynura Asanbekova.

Er Toshtuk plays an additional performance on Sunday July 13, 2008 19:00 at the B’Art Center (formerly City of Artists) 1 Karasayeva (Druzhba St) in Bishkek.
FREE, but seating is limited. Reservation can be made by calling 53-17-85, or Altyn at (0555) 40-89-40.

The show will have three performances Wednesday- Friday July 16-18 at 20:00 at the Village Cultural center in Kara Suu, At-Bashy Region in Naryn Oblast

for more information contact: Altyn at (0555) 40-89-40.

The additional performances in Bishkek and Kara Suu were made possible in part with funds from the Dordoi Associaiton and Baltatu. The project was developed with help from US Embassy in Bishkek, the Fulbright Senior Scholar Fellowship Program, the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia, the Theatre Institute at the Kyrgyz National Academic Dramatic Theatre, Sakhna Theatre, and the Yara Arts Group, a resident company of La MaMa Experimental Theatre in New York.


For press and photographs see:
Er Toshtuk May-June, 2008 at B'Art Center in Bishkek

For information and photographs from Yara's previous work with Kyrgyz epics see:
Janyl Myrza Returns to her Homeland August 2007
Janyl in New York March 2007
For pictures from Yara's research into the Celestial Mountains July 2006
For pictures and information on Yara's workshop of Janyl Myrza in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan August, 2006
For information on related Kyrgyz Spring in New York


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